Holbrook Votes Canvassed, But Recount Sought

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   The Holbrook City Council approved the canvass of the May 19 municipal election, but also passed a resolution requesting a recount during a special meeting held May 27.
   The races to be recounted include the contest between Myron Maxwell and Eva Purvis for the remaining city council seat, and the question of Proposition 118, which would change the mayor’s term from two years to four.
   As approved by the council, the final election results put Maxwell ahead by three votes, 200-197.
   Proposition 188 was very narrowly approved by the voters, as the official results stand, having received 196 “yes” votes and 194 “no” votes. A “yes” vote changes the term to four years.
   Prior to the council’s approval of the canvass of the vote, Councilman Kent Darris expressed concern that the city charter requires new council members to be seated as soon as the votes are canvassed.
   City Clerk Cher Reyes explained that she had spoken with the city attorney about the issue, and had been advised that under state law, the recount must be conducted before new council members are seated.
   Darris cast the lone vote against approving the canvass of the votes.
   The council’s approval of a resolution authorizing a request for a recount does not automatically start the recount process, but instead authorizes the city clerk and attorney to file the appropriate paperwork for a recount with the Superior Court. The court must then decide whether to order a recount. One Arizona state law says that in cases where there is less than a 10-vote difference, the courts may automatically order a recount.
   No mention of the time it might take to complete the recount and finalize the election results was made during the council meeting, however, Navajo County Elections Director Lisa McKee previously noted that time limits surrounding a recount would likely be established by the court. She explained that her office is prepared to complete the recount immediately, but will likely need time to make the public aware of the exact date and time the recount will take place.
   The Holbrook City Council deemed the resolution authorizing the recount request an emergency so that a second reading of the ordinance is not required and the paperwork could be filed with the court immediately.
   The next regular council meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, but it is unclear whether the recount will be completed in time for new council members to be seated at that meeting.